Ford F-150 vs Nissan Frontier: Specs Compared
Also searched as Nissan Frontier vs Ford F-150 specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Ford F-150 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 25 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Nissan Frontier, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $500 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Ford F-150 leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Ford F-150
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD · 229 configurations
2015–2026
Nissan Frontier
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD · 57 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Ford F-150 | Nissan Frontier |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 25 mpg ✓ | 21 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 25 mpg ✓ | 19 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 30 mpg ✓ | 24 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,450 ✓ | $2,950 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 349 g/mi ✓ | 423 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, 5.2, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid | SIDI, SIDI; ISS and AGS, 2.5, 4.0 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S10), Automatic (S6), Automatic 6-spd | Automatic (S9), Automatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd |
| Drivetrains | Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Premium, Gasoline or E85 | Regular, Gasoline or E85 |
| EPA class | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 229 | 57 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Ford F-150 vs Nissan Frontier dimensions and size
The Ford F-150 is 17.3 inches longer than the Nissan Frontier on a wheelbase 17.3 inches longer, and 778.2 lbs heavier. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.
| Dimension | Ford F-150 (2026) | Nissan Frontier (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 241.3 in | 224 in | 17.3 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 79.9 in | 72.8 in | 7.1 in |
| Height | 77.2 in | 72 in | 5.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 157.1 in | 139.8 in | 17.3 in |
| Curb weight | 5,584 lbs | 4,806 lbs | 778 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Ford F-150 vs Nissan Frontier: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Ford F-150 burns about $2,450 of fuel annually against $2,950 for the Nissan Frontier. That $500 yearly gap compounds to roughly $2,500 over five years and $4,000 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City and highway economy: the Ford F-150 leads in both cycles — 25 mpg city and 30 mpg highway against 19 and 24 mpg — so its fuel-efficiency advantage holds whether you commute in traffic or cover long highway miles.
Powertrain choice: the Ford F-150 is recorded with 4 distinct engine configurations (SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, 5.2, SIDI & PFI), the Nissan Frontier with 4 (SIDI, SIDI; ISS and AGS, 2.5). Across 229 recorded Ford F-150 configurations and 57 for the Nissan Frontier, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Ford F-150 is offered with Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, the Nissan Frontier with Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD and Small Pickup Trucks 2WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Ford F-150 emits 349 g/mile of CO2 versus 423 g/mile for the Nissan Frontier. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
F-150 vs Frontier: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Ford F-150 or the Nissan Frontier?
The Ford F-150 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 25 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Nissan Frontier, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $500 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Ford F-150 runs about $2,450 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,950 for the Nissan Frontier — a difference of roughly $500 per year.
What engines do the F-150 and Frontier offer?
Ford F-150: SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, 5.2, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid. Nissan Frontier: SIDI, SIDI; ISS and AGS, 2.5, 4.0.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Ford F-150 as Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD and the Nissan Frontier as Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More F-150 comparisons
More Frontier comparisons
Comparison id: ford-f150-vs-nissan-frontier